Review: IWI Galil ACE Pistol and Rifle

At the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade show (SHOT) 2013, I first met the team at IWI (Israel Weapons Industries) U.S. At that time, IWI’s headquarters in Pennsylvania was relatively new and it was still trying to sort out supply chain issues with demand for their product being at an all-time high. IWI’s parent company in Israel has been around since the 1930s, but the only gun I had shot of IWI’s before 2013 was the UZI (and an early U.S. import of the Galil 5.56).

Whether it’s the cold hammer forged or chrome-lined barrel, or glowing Tritium sights, these are quality guns made by people from a country that understand the need for a firearm to be reliable at every pull of the trigger.

The Tavor was one of the first guns I officially reviewed, so basically have IWI to thank for getting me involved in a business that requires me to buy a new gun safe every two years. In 2018, I reconnected with IWI to try out the Tavor X95 (loved it). However, I also wanted to try out the Galil ACE in 7.62×39 (AKA the AK round) in the rifle and pistol with arm brace version. IWI’s Galil design is of marriage of the AK-47 with the Finnish Valmet RK 62.

Asking me which is a better gun between the AR and AK is like asking me which of my children I like the best. It just depends on the day (kidding, I love you all the same). Seriously, I do love 5.56 and 7.62×39. The Galil just adds to my love of the 7.62×39 round. In my youth, back when you could buy a SKS for $79.95 at a gun show, I shot more steel-case 7.62×39 than I can remember. I do recall getting those SKSs glowing orange at the end of the barrel (after we converted them to accept AK-style mags).

Those SKSs of yesteryear don’t even come close to being the quality of what IWI offers today in the 7.62×39 Galil. As with all IWI weapons, they are extremely well-built. Especially when it comes to incorporating polymer with steel, IWI has this down to a science.

I couldn’t wait to take these to the range as soon as they arrived at the shop. Again, if you follow my reviews you know I really don’t get into what brand of ammo does the best group at 200 yards in August on a 100+ degree day in Ohio. All the guns I review are accurate. If they aren’t, I’ll tell you. For my review, I tested each of them with 500 rounds of Wolf steel-case FMJ 7.62×39 and had zero malfunctions.

The folding stock is not the easiest to close, but it is not a deal breaker.

Whether it’s the cold hammer forged or chrome-lined barrel, or glowing Tritium sights, these are quality guns made by people from a country that understand the need for a firearm to be reliable at every pull of the trigger. I will admit that I liked the pistol version with the arm brace slightly more than the rifle version. It handles like a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), but doesn’t require the NFA paperwork. With the folding brace, this would make a great gun to take on your next camping trip. It is also a pistol, so maybe it could even be your new CCW? So, what would I change about the ACE Galil (7.62×39)?

The folding stock is not the easiest to close. I’m more accustomed to a single push button, or two finger pinch, to close a folding stock. With the Galil you have to push the pistol grip down on a hard surface while folding the stock to the right. It’s not the easiest, but also not a deal breaker for me.

The only other thing I’d change is the handguard. In the U.S., we’ve become accustom to M-Lok or KeyMod rail systems. The rest of the globe primarily uses quad-rails. The Galil incorporates Quad rails, but since they can be abrasive during rapid fire situations, IWI created inserts that slide over the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock rails when they are not in use. Although the bulky handguard does help protect your hand from heat buildup, it also visually distracts from the guns other phenomenal attributes.

A sleeker handguard would definitely be an accessory this gun deserves. Except for those two small points, I really enjoyed these guns and they will be staying as part of my collection (full disclosure, I do have to buy these, I don’t get them for free). At over $1,800 MSRP, these are not cheap, but they are well worth it.

Are you an IWI fan? Have you fired the Galil? What about the Tavor X95? Share your answers in the comment section.

Like this:

Related

Reader Interactions

Comments

Either you’re “old as dirt”, have “fat finger syndrome”, or your spell check was out to lunch when you did your typing…”Again, if you follow my reviews you know I really don’t get into what brand of ammo does the best group at 200 years in August on a 100+ degree day in Ohio”.
How do you group at 200 years?? Slow ammo or time travel machine??

I couldn’t agree more with all the comments about the Galil pistol specifically and IWI products in general. I recommend swapping the fore end handguard with one produced by Midwest Industries (2 different lengths for the pistol or rifle versions). They aren’t cheap but if you can afford the pistol or rifle then why not? Well worth it. IWI folding stocks are tight! What I did was disassemble the joint and heat-treat the spring to reduce the tension. My ‘high tech’ approach was to hold the spring compressed between plier jaws to half its original size. Heat was supplied via a cigarette lighter and then dunked in coffee. Take your time and don’t over heat the spring. It may take a few tries but it works. The stock now works easily and smoothly.

Big fan of the Galil rifle in 308/7.62×51. Handles well, runs like an AK, and takes MagPul Pmags, which is a nice bonus. Doesn’t have the fit and finish of a SCAR 17s, but you can also buy two of these for what those cost. If you’re looking for a great semi-auto in 30 caliber, this is a fantastic option.